]]>White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday issued "rules that will govern White House press conferences going forward" in response to the behavior of CNN's chief White House correspondent, Jim Acosta, earlier this month.

Sanders laid out three rules for reporters in attendance at future press conferences, adding that if they fail to comply with any of the rules, they may face "suspension or revocation of the journalist's hard pass."

The three rules include: limiting reporters to one question before they must yield the floor to other journalists; asking a follow-up question or questions only at the discretion of President Donald Trump or another White House official answering questions, before then yielding the floor; and "physically surrendering the microphone" to White House staff when applicable for the next questioner.

NBC News White House correspondent Geoff Bennett tweeted out the full press release.

"We have created these rules with a degree of regret. For years, members of the White House press corps have attended countless press events with the President and other officials without engaging in the behavior Mr. Acosta displayed at the November 7, 2018 press conference," Huckabee Sanders said in a statement. "We would have greatly preferred to continue hosting White House press conferences in reliance on a set of understood professional norms, and we believe the overwhelming majority of journalists covering the White House share that preference."

Sanders went on to say the White House is "mindful" a more comprehensive list of rules may need to be created, but added they "have decided not to frame such rules in the hope that professional journalistic norms will suffice to regulate conduct in those place."

The White House suspended Acosta's press credentials earlier this month following a heated interaction with Trump at a press conference during which Acosta refused to give up the microphone to a White House intern after an aggressive series of questions. Trump repeatedly told Acosta to sit down, but the reporter refused to yield the floor.

CNN filed a lawsuit last week against Trump and top aides in the White House, including chief of staff John Kelly, Huckabee Sanders, deputy chief of staff for communications Bill Shine, the director of the Secret Service, and the Secret Service officer who revoked Acosta's hard pass. Ted Olson, an attorney for CNN and Acosta, said Acosta's press credentials "must be restored so that all members of the press know they will remain free to ask tough questions, challenge government officials, and report the business of the nation to the American people."

Federal District Judge Timothy Kelly, who was nominated by Trump, granted CNN’s motion for a temporary restraining order last Friday that would overturn the ban of Acosta from the White House grounds. Early Monday morning, however, the White House told CNN that it intends to revoke Acosta's press credentials again at the end of the month. The White House has since reversed this decision, fully restoring Acosta's credentials if he abides by the new rules that Sanders released. As a result, CNN dropped its lawsuit.

"Today the White House fully restored Jim Acosta's press pass," CNN said in a statement. "As a result, our lawsuit is no longer necessary. We look forward to continuing to cover the White House."

]]>Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) sent an email Monday encouraging people to donate money for disaster relief in response to wildfires raging across California, but he did not disclose the included links directed users to the website of Democratic group ActBlue.

Two wildfires have been burning in California – one in the northern part of the state and one that began as a campfire outside of Los Angeles – for over a week. At least 80 people have died as a result, and close to 1,000 people are currently missing, according to ABC News.

Booker, who has been floated as a potential 2020 presidential candidate, sent out an email with a list of nonprofit organizations, saying they "are helping victims throughout California." The nonprofits include Wildfire Relief Fund, Humane Society of Ventura County, United Way of Northern California, Northern California Fire Relief Fund, Caring Choices, and California Fire Foundation, among others.

"Thousands of our country’s brave firefighters and first responders continue to put their lives on the line to rescue as many people as possible and protect communities," the email read. "We all need to do our part to help in any way we can — and one way you can help right now is by supporting non-profit organizations that are helping victims throughout California."

After the list of nonprofits, the email included donation amounts, ranging from $5 to $100. Each link sends users to a page on ActBlue's website asking people to help those displaced by the fires.

ActBlue, launched in 2004, has called itself "the online clearinghouse for Democratic action."

"ActBlue is a nonprofit, building fundraising technology for the left," the organization says on its website. "Democratic campaigns get more donations through ActBlue than any other platform."

"A majority of Democratic Senate and House campaigns—along with the DCCC, DSCC, DGA, over one-third of statewide campaigns, and advocacy organizations around the country—have chosen ActBlue," the website adds, noting that the organization has raised nearly $3 billion for "Democrats and progressive causes" in 14 years.

Booker is at least the second potential 2020 presidential candidate to send out a fundraising email for the California wildfires without disclosing the ActBlue association. Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) also sent out a fundraising email last Thursday.

Sen. Bill Nelson (D., Fla.) sent out an email last month encouraging people to donate money for hurricane disaster relief in Florida. The email included a list of nonprofit groups that provide aid, and the links also directed potential donors to ActBlue's site.

]]>https://freebeacon.com/politics/another-potential-2020-dem-candidate-sends-disaster-relief-email-funneling-potential-donors-actblue-website/feed/016 House Democrats Promise to Oppose Pelosi for Speakerhttps://freebeacon.com/politics/16-house-democrats-promise-to-oppose-pelosi-for-speaker/
https://freebeacon.com/politics/16-house-democrats-promise-to-oppose-pelosi-for-speaker/#respondMon, 19 Nov 2018 19:51:30 +0000https://freebeacon.com/?p=1086211Sixteen House Democrats and incoming members of Congress signed and released a letter to their Democratic colleagues on Monday saying they "believe more strongly than ever that the time has come for new leadership in our caucus."

]]>Sixteen House Democrats and incoming members of Congress signed and released a letter to their Democratic colleagues on Monday saying they "believe more strongly than ever that the time has come for new leadership in our caucus."

"We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service for our Country and our Caucus," the letter reads. "She is a historic figure whose leadership has been instrumental to some of our party's most important legislative achievements."

"However, we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran on and won on a message of change. Our majority came on the backs of candidates who said that they would support new leadership because voters in hard-won districts, and across the country, want to see real change in Washington," the letter continues. "We promised to change the status quo, and we intend to deliver on that promise. Therefore, we are committed to voting for new leadership in both our Caucus meeting and on the House Floor."

Fudge, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, sat down for an interview with the Washington Post last Thursday, where she said she's been "overwhelmed" by all the support from some of her Democratic colleagues. She told the Post there are "probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately told her they would be willing to vote against Pelosi.

Moulton publicly praised Fudge last week on CNN, saying she is "the kind of new leader that we need in this party."

"She’s in touch with middle America. She understands what the American people want," he said on Thursday. "She’s a next generation leader that people will look to and say, ‘That’s the future of our party, that’s the future of our country, and that’s exactly the kind of leader that I want to see as our next speaker.’"

Fudge also spoke to HuffPost last week, telling them she doesn't "Hate Nancy" and that she has been "a very good leader." However, she believes "it’s time for a new one." She went on to talk about how she doesn't believe Pelosi has been vocal enough about supporting African Americans in Congress.

]]>https://freebeacon.com/politics/16-house-democrats-promise-to-oppose-pelosi-for-speaker/feed/0Michelle Wolf Slams WH Correspondents’ Association ‘Cowards’ for Ditching Comedy at Annual Dinnerhttps://freebeacon.com/politics/michelle-wolf-slams-wh-correspondents-association-cowards-for-ditching-comedy-at-annual-dinner/
https://freebeacon.com/politics/michelle-wolf-slams-wh-correspondents-association-cowards-for-ditching-comedy-at-annual-dinner/#respondMon, 19 Nov 2018 18:21:43 +0000https://freebeacon.com/?p=1086067Comedian Michelle Wolf on Monday slammed the White House Correspondents' Association for its decision to invite presidential biographer Ron Chernow to be the featured speaker at their annual dinner next April instead of a comedian or celebrity, calling its board members "cowards."

]]>Comedian Michelle Wolf on Monday slammed the White House Correspondents' Association for its decision to invite presidential biographer Ron Chernow to be the featured speaker at their annual dinner next April instead of a comedian or celebrity, calling its board members "cowards."

The WHCA sent out a press release Monday announcing the decision to invite Chernow, described by the association as one of the "most eminent biographers of American presidents and statesmen."

"I’m delighted that Ron will share his lively, deeply researched perspectives on American politics and history at the 2019 White House Correspondents’ Dinner," said Olivier Knox, chief Washington correspondent for SiriusXM and president of the WHCA. "As we celebrate the importance of a free and independent news media to the health of the republic, I look forward to hearing Ron place this unusual moment in the context of American history."

Wolf suggested the decision was cowardly and the media "is complicit."

"The White House Correspondents’ Association has asked me to make the case for the First Amendment and I am happy to oblige," Chernow said. "Freedom of the press is always a timely subject and this seems like the perfect moment to go back to basics. My major worry these days is that we Americans will forget who we are as a people and historians should serve as our chief custodians in preserving that rich storehouse of memory. While I have never been mistaken for a stand-up comedian, I promise that my history lesson won’t be dry."

Wolf, a former writer for Comedy Central's "Daily Show" and the featured comedian at the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner, received backlash for her comments targeting White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

"I actually really like Sarah. I think she’s very resourceful. She burns facts and then she uses that ash to create a perfect smoky eye. Like maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s lies. It’s probably lies," Wolf said, joking about Sanders' appearance.

"And I’m never really sure what to call Sarah Huckabee Sanders, you know? Is it Sarah Sanders, is it Sarah Huckabee Sanders, is it Cousin Huckabee, is it Auntie Huckabee Sanders? What’s Uncle Tom but for white women who disappoint other white women? Oh, I know. Aunt Coulter," Wolf said.

New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman came to Sanders' defense on Twitter, saying it was "impressive" that she sat there and endured the attacks without walking out of the dinner.

That @PressSec sat and absorbed intense criticism of her physical appearance, her job performance, and so forth, instead of walking out, on national television, was impressive.

President Donald Trump, who did not attend the dinner, said he heard the event was a "boring bust" and that Wolf "bombed."

"While Washington, Michigan, was a big success, Washington, D.C., just didn't work. Everyone is talking about the fact that the White House Correspondents Dinner was a very big, boring bust….the so-called comedian really ‘bombed,'" Trump tweeted.

While Washington, Michigan, was a big success, Washington, D.C., just didn’t work. Everyone is talking about the fact that the White House Correspondents Dinner was a very big, boring bust…the so-called comedian really "bombed." @greggutfeld should host next year! @PeteHegseth

Abrams appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" where she was asked to respond to Sen. Sherrod Brown's (D., Ohio) comment about her election being "stolen" if she did not win. Brown was speaking in front of the left-wing advocacy group National Action Network earlier in the week when he said, "If Stacey Abrams doesn't win in Georgia, they stole it.

"Sherrod Brown says the election was stolen," host Jake Tapper said. " Do you agree that it was stolen, and do you think that Brian Kemp is not the legitimate governor-elect of Georgia?"

"The law, as it stands, says that he received an adequate number of votes to become the governor of Georgia, and I acknowledge the law as it stands. I am a lawyer by training and I am someone who's taken a Constitutional oath to uphold the law, but we know sometimes the law does not do what it should and something being legal does not make it right," Abrams said. "This is someone who has compromised our systems. He has compromised our Democratic systems and that is not appropriate."

Tapper did not appear satisfied with her response, prompting him to ask her again if she believes Kemp is a "legitimate" governor-elect.

"He is the person who won an adequate number of votes to become the governor," Abrams said

Tapper pressed Abrams again, saying she was not answering his question or using the word "legitimate."

"He is the legal governor of Georgia and here's the thing, Jake. I want to be very clear. Words have meaning and I've spent my lifetime not only as an attorney. But as a writer, I'm careful of the words I choose," Abrams said. "When he takes the oath of office, he will be the legal governor of the state of Georgia, the legal victor, but what you are looking to me to say is that there was no compromise of our democracy and that there should be some political compromise in the language I use, and that's not right. What's not right is saying that something was done properly when it was not."

"I will never deny the legal premature that says he is in this position, and I pray for his success. But will I say that this election was not tainted, was not a disinvestment and disenfranchisement of thousands of voters? I will not say that," Abrams added.

The Washington Free Beacon previously reported on the state of the gubernatorial election and how progressive groups filed multiple lawsuits in an attempt to extend certification deadlines.

Abrams and progressive groups have filed multiple lawsuits to extend certification deadlines and count previously rejected provisional ballots, but she still needs to gain at least 17,000 votes on Kemp to get him below the 50-percent threshold and force a runoff.

In addition to Abrams attempting to become the first black female governor in U.S. history, the race has drawn national attention because of progressive accusations that Kemp, the former Georgia secretary of state, engaged in systematic voter suppression. The Weekly Standard reported such accusations were not borne out by the facts.

President Donald Trump praised Abrams in a tweet on Friday, saying she "fought brilliantly and hard."

Congratulations to Brian Kemp on becoming the new Governor of Georgia. Stacey Abrams fought brilliantly and hard – she will have a terrific political future! Brian was unrelenting and will become a great Governor for the truly Wonderful People of Georgia!

]]>https://freebeacon.com/politics/stacey-abrams-continues-question-legitimacy-gubernatorial-election-despite-losing-50000-votes/feed/0Trump Visits California Wildfire Zone With Newsom: ‘We’re All Going to Work Together’https://freebeacon.com/issues/trump-visits-california-wildfire-zone-newsom-going-work-together/
https://freebeacon.com/issues/trump-visits-california-wildfire-zone-newsom-going-work-together/#respondSun, 18 Nov 2018 15:47:02 +0000https://freebeacon.com/?p=1085773President Donald Trump on Saturday landed at Beale Air Force Base north of Sacramento, California, where he met with Governor-elect Gavin Newsom (D.) and observed the fire zone where dozens of people have been killed.

]]>President Donald Trump on Saturday landed at Beale Air Force Base north of Sacramento, California, where he met with Governor-elect Gavin Newsom (D.) and observed the fire zone where dozens of people have been killed.

The Northern California wildfire started last week and has erupted into chaos; at least 63 people have died as a result, and over 630 people are currently missing, according to Politico.

Newsom and Gov. Jerry Brown (D.) were present when Trump landed on Air Force One, marking the second visit to California since Trump became president. When Trump announced he would visit California, there was wide speculation on whether Newsom would meet with him since he has repeatedly said his governorship was going to be a counterweight to the Trump administration. However, Trump's visit afforded him the ability to rise above the political fray and reach across the aisle to ask for help from the federal government.

Brown's spokesman said he joined Trump, who was accompanied by Mayor Jody Jones and FEMA Director Brock Long, at the president's invitation.

"A smart woman once told me that you campaign partisan and you govern bipartisan," Dana Williamson, an adviser to Brown, told Politico. "It's imperative that the victims of these horrible fires and the thousands of first-responders have the full attention of our federal, state and local leaders regardless of politics."

Trump and Newsom paused to speak to each other several times as they observed the charred wreckage that remained from the fire.

"Jerry and I have been speaking and Gavin and I have gotten to know each other and we’re all going to work together," Trump said, flanked by Newsom and Brown. Newsom declined an invitation to speak, but Trump said they were "all on the same path" regarding the need "to work in the floor, the forest floor."

"We’ll be working also with environmental groups," he added. "I think everybody has seen the light."

In addition to Long, Trump was joined on Air Force One by the newly elected House minority leader, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R., Calif.), and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R., Calif.), whose district has been heavily affected by the wildfire, according to Politico.

After arriving at Beale Air Force Base, they left with Brown and Newsom by helicopter to the Paradise fire zone about 60 miles north.

As he sought to consolidate support for his leadership bid, McCarthy aligned himself closely with the president. In Paradise, Trump heralded their relationship, thanking McCarthy for "the support you’ve given in Washington."

"Kevin, anything we can do, you know we’re here. Just bring it over to the office," Trump said.

Newsom and Trump have long been locked in a dance of mutual enmity, each regularly invoking the other to galvanize their respective bases: Newsom positions himself as the champion of California's alternative to Trumpism, while the president caricatures Newsom on the campaign trail as an extreme liberal who wants to open borders and distribute free health care.

]]>https://freebeacon.com/issues/trump-visits-california-wildfire-zone-newsom-going-work-together/feed/0In Fundraising Email for California Fires, Kamala Harris Directs Users to Group That Builds Donor Lists for Dem Campaignshttps://freebeacon.com/politics/in-fundraising-email-for-california-fires-kamala-harris-directs-users-to-group-that-builds-donor-lists-for-dem-campaigns/
https://freebeacon.com/politics/in-fundraising-email-for-california-fires-kamala-harris-directs-users-to-group-that-builds-donor-lists-for-dem-campaigns/#respondFri, 16 Nov 2018 19:24:04 +0000https://freebeacon.com/?p=1085044Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) sent an email Thursday encouraging people to donate money for disaster relief caused by the wildfires raging across California, but she did not disclose the included links directed users to the website of Democratic group ActBlue.

]]>Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) sent an email Thursday encouraging people to donate money for disaster relief caused by the wildfires raging across California, but she did not disclose the included links directed users to the website of Democratic group ActBlue.

The Northern California wildfire started last week and has erupted into chaos; at least 63 people have died as a result, and over 630 people are currently missing, according to Politico.

Harris, who has been floated as a potential 2020 presidential candidate, sent out an email with a list of nonprofit organizations, which she said are "doing incredible work to help all those displaced and hurt by the California wildfires." The nonprofits include Wildfire Relief Fund, Humane Society of Ventura County, United Way of Northern California, Northern California Fire Relief Fund, Caring Choices, and California Fire Foundation, among others.

After the list of nonprofits, the email lists the donation amounts, ranging from $10 to $250. Each link sends users to a page on ActBlue's website asking people to donate to efforts to help those displaced by the fires.

ActBlue, launched in 2004, has called itself "the online clearinghouse for Democratic action."

"ActBlue is a nonprofit, building fundraising technology for the left," the organization says on its website. "Democratic campaigns get more donations through ActBlue than any other platform."

"A majority of Democratic Senate and House campaigns—along with the DCCC, DSCC, DGA, over one-third of statewide campaigns, and advocacy organizations around the country—have chosen ActBlue," the website adds, noting that the organization has raised nearly $3 billion for "Democrats and progressive causes" in 14 years.

This isn't the first time a Democratic senator has sent out a fundraising email for a natural disaster without disclosing the ActBlue association. Sen. Bill Nelson (D., Fla.) sent out an email last month encouraging people to donate money for hurricane disaster relief with a list of nonprofit groups that provide aid. The included links also directed potential donors to ActBlue's site.

]]>https://freebeacon.com/politics/in-fundraising-email-for-california-fires-kamala-harris-directs-users-to-group-that-builds-donor-lists-for-dem-campaigns/feed/0Anti-Trump Theatergoer Causes Panic After Yelling ‘Heil Hitler, Heil Trump’ During Intermissionhttps://freebeacon.com/politics/anti-trump-theatergoer-causes-panic-yelling-heil-hitler-heil-trump-intermission/
https://freebeacon.com/politics/anti-trump-theatergoer-causes-panic-yelling-heil-hitler-heil-trump-intermission/#respondFri, 16 Nov 2018 15:52:34 +0000https://freebeacon.com/?p=1084906An intoxicated man yelled, "Heil Hitler, Heil Trump" on Wednesday night during a performance of "Fiddler on the Roof" in Baltimore, prompting people on social media to inaccurately assume and the media to report he was a supporter of President Donald Trump.

]]>An intoxicated man yelled, "Heil Hitler, Heil Trump" on Wednesday night during a performance of "Fiddler on the Roof" in Baltimore, prompting people on social media to inaccurately assume and the media to report he was a supporter of President Donald Trump. The man actually dislikes the president and was trying to express his hated by likening him to the late Nazi dictator Adolph Hitler.

Anthony M. Derlunas, 58, began his outburst during intermission shouting "Heil Hitler, Heil Trump," sparking fear among other audience members as some of them ran out of the theater fearing that he was going to start shooting. The audience was on edge following recent shootings, including the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh less than three weeks earlier. It resulted in the death of 11 people, plus the shooter. The gunman made anti-Semitic statements during the shooting and targeted Jews on social media.

Several witnesses to Derlunas' actions said people around them seemed "quite shaken by the incident" and said some "people started running." He was holding his hand straight up in a Nazi salute, according to witnesses, prompting multiple ushers to rush over and escort him out of the theater, according to the Baltimore Sun. Derlunas told a police officer that he "had been drinking heavily throughout the night" before being escorted out.

According to the report, Derlunas said that the final scene of the play before intermission had reminded him of his hatred for the president, which is why he shouted. He was confused when people around him became angry. The officer deduced "that his intention was to express his dislike for President Donald Trump."

Baltimore Police were called and security escorted Derlunas out a few minutes later, a police spokeswoman said, and the show continued.

According to the police report, Derlunas was "calm and compliant" during the interaction and returned to a hotel where he was staying with his girlfriend in the area. Witnesses told The Baltimore Sun that the audience applauded as the man was removed.

Police issued him a stop ticket, which is the least severe measure police can take when responding to a complaint. In addition to the stop ticket, he was permanently banned from the Hippodrome Theater, but he was not arrested. The police spokesman Matt Jablow said, "As reprehensible as those words are, they are considered protected free speech because nobody was directly threatened."

Several Democrats and media outlets took to social media following initial reports of the incident to accuse Derlunas of being an anti-Semitic supporter of Trump.

A man stood up in a Baltimore theater and started yelling "Heil Hitler, Heil Trump." It’s amazing how even Trump supporters are making the connection between Adolf Hitler and Donald Trump, yet the @GOP is STILL in denial that it has become the white nationalist party of America.

This is where we are in the era of Trump. He fans hatred daily. We must all be vigilant to be the voice of light right now. Man shouts 'Heil Hitler, Heil Trump' during intermission of Baltimore performance of 'Fiddler on the Roof' https://t.co/jkfU4Zs4oF

"This post initially described the man as a ‘Trump supporter' due to his praise of the president, but according to new reports, the man was actually very drunk and inspired to shout ‘Heil Trump' because of his hatred for the president," the correction read.

]]>https://freebeacon.com/politics/anti-trump-theatergoer-causes-panic-yelling-heil-hitler-heil-trump-intermission/feed/0Marcia Fudge Considers Bid for House Speaker, Says Pelosi Hasn’t Sufficiently Supported African Americans in Congresshttps://freebeacon.com/politics/marcia-fudge-considers-bid-house-speaker-says-pelosi-hasnt-sufficiently-supported-african-americans-in-congress/
https://freebeacon.com/politics/marcia-fudge-considers-bid-house-speaker-says-pelosi-hasnt-sufficiently-supported-african-americans-in-congress/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 18:45:15 +0000https://freebeacon.com/?p=1084531Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D., Ohio) is being floated by several Democrats as a potential contender to face off against House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) to determine who will be the speaker of the House when Democrats retake the majority in January.

]]>Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D., Ohio) is being floated by several Democrats as a potential contender to face off against House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) to determine who will be the speaker of the House when Democrats retake the majority in January.

Fudge, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, sat down for an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, telling them she has been "overwhelmed" by all the support she's received from some of her Democratic colleagues, including Reps. Tim Ryan (D., Ohio) and Seth Moulton (D., Mass.). She told them there are "probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately told her they would be willing to vote against Pelosi.

Moulton publicly praised Fudge Wednesday night and Thursday morning on CNN, saying she is "the kind of new leader that we need in this party."

"She’s in touch with middle America. She understands what the American people want," he said on Thursday. "She’s a next generation leader that people will look to and say, ‘That’s the future of our party, that’s the future of our country, and that’s exactly the kind of leader that I want to see as our next speaker.’"

As Fudge mulls a bid to challenge Pelosi, prominent Democrats like former Attorney General Eric Holder and members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Reps. Bobby L. Rush (D., Ill.) and Maxine Waters (D., Calif.), have come out in support of the current minority leader.

Fudge said she would be a thorn in President Donald Trump's side by holding him accountable, but also said she would seek to work with him, noting she views Trump as someone that cares about "winning" and being transactional versus ideological.

"I’ve been in government a long time and understand how it works. And he doesn’t. So I’d be happy to help him understand how it works," she said.

While Fudge has a bloc of Democrats who privately support her, some Pelosi allies have criticized Fudge for not co-sponsoring the Equality Act, which "focuses on civil rights protections for sexual orientation and gender identity," according to the Post.

Fudge also spoke to HuffPost Thursday, telling them she doesn't "Hate Nancy" and that she has been "a very good leader." However, she believes "it’s time for a new one." She went on to talk about how she doesn't believe Pelosi has been vocal enough about supporting African Americans in Congress.

"I don’t have a pitch because at this point I’ve not decided I’m going to run," Fudge said, "but I would say this: My concern about the caucus is the same concern I have about the country. Just as there is this undertone of racism in the country, there’s also that in our caucus."

Fudge pointed to Pelosi’s refusal to endorse in the race for majority whip, a contest between the current No. 3 Democrat ― and CBC stalwart ― Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), and Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.).

"But she wants our endorsements?" Fudge said of Pelosi. "Who has she endorsed?"

"We’re not feeling the love," she added.

Democrats will vote internally on their nominee for speaker on Nov. 28 and the full House will vote in January.

Nanda attended Yahoo Finance’s All Markets Summit: America’s Financial Future event in Washington, D.C., where she was asked by Rick Newman, the moderator and a senior columnist, about concerns regarding the cost of a single-payer system.

"It would be very expensive, so, if this is going to be a winning issue for Democrats in 2020, how do you answer the question of how are you going to pay for this?" Newman asked. "Because there have been studies, credible studies that say it would cost $3 trillion a year. You would have to double everybody’s taxes or maybe triple everybody’s taxes. How do you answer the cost question?"

"So, you know, your answer is I don’t know how we’re going to get there, but these are all big conversations that we need to be engaged in," Nanda added.

She was then asked whether there was room for socialists in the Democratic Party, prompting her to say there was room for "all sorts of Democrats in the Democratic Party."

Nanda is not the first Democrat to have difficulty explaining how they would pay for the single-payer system. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), who caucuses with Senate Democrats, had difficulty explaining where the money would come from to pay for his proposed plan. Congresswoman-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) was also pressed back in September about the cost, and she was unable to explain solutions to afford the plan.

The libertarian Mercatus Center released a report in July saying Sanders' proposed system would cost the U.S. government more than $32 trillion over 10 years.